If I were building a new HTPC I'd probably go with this card, but then a new HTPC would cost me more than an Nvidia Shield and the Shield can probably play anything I throw at it. That's the thing, even though I'm not crazy about Android TV.

If I were building a new HTPC I'd probably go with this card, but then a new HTPC would cost me more than an Nvidia Shield and the Shield can probably play anything I throw at it. That's the thing, even though I'm not crazy about Android TV.

Gotcha.

I only upgraded my old HTPC because I was frustrated with the way Kodi/Plex handle (or don't handle) audio on the Android TV.

I only upgraded my old HTPC because I was frustrated with the way Kodi/Plex handle (or don't handle) audio on the Android TV.

Since I'm used to OpenELEC, I've had bad experience with Android TV before because on top of Kodi, you need to fiddle around settings IN Android sometimes to make things work smoothly. The advantage of Kodi OSes like OpenELEC, LibreELEC and OSMC is that the OS is *built* for Kodi, so it has a very low footprint. Anyway, I just decided to go for the Vero 4K, ordered from the UK. It seems to be the *only* pre-assembled HTPC that can do pure 4K HEVC 10-bit with hardware acceleration for lower than CAD$200... It has good reviews. I'll give it a shot. I think I will keep my current 1080p HTPC to play 1080p files and let the Sony do the upscaling, and play 2160p with the Vero 4K. I'm going through a 4K receiver so having two HTPC with two different resolutions might be the easiest solution if I don't want to have to switch resolutions and fiddle with different settings at different levels.

For anyone thinking about upgrading their HTPC, unless you're PC gaming, do yourself a favour and opt for the much cheaper (and possibly better), Nvidia Shield.

It's destroying the performance of my i5 with 16GB ram right now. Playing 4k HEVC 10bit HDR with ease - I can skip through the entire movie with no delays as well. On top of that, the "built for TV" interface on Android TV beats anything Windows can do from a visual perspective. Res. switching is also seamless.

I also just picked up a FLIRC which allows me to use any remote to control Kodi (emulates the keyboard). Neat little device.

Yes, you can opt for a cheaper alternative, but the Nvidia shield is getting the most love, which means it'll be updated and supported the most. Definitely worth whatever the difference may be.

My only problem now is to figure out a way to make the native Sony Android TV play perfectly nice with the Shield (and my Google home mini)

Sony remote: can't reprogram this remote and buttons are hardcoded to the native Android TV (AFAIK). I'd prefer that when I use the Sony remote and hit the voice button, that it will prompt a voice search on the Shield. Instead, it leaves the Shield and goes back to the TV OS. Only way i've been able to get around it is to use a Harmony remote and just have the Shield remote nearby for voice.

I was hoping the Google Home was smart enough to realize that there's multiple listen devices in the same room, and that they should all accept the same inputs - they don't. Android TV OS accepts different commands than the regular Home at this point. The TV was also horribly bad at responding to voices coming from the TV. I had to disable the Sony "OK google" without pressing the button.

I need some recommendation, 55X900E was what I wanted to to get but due to the lack of stock I bought 65X850E. I like the screen size but not sure if there is that much of the difference in terms of video quality/hardware spec to go for 900E instead.

I need some recommendation, 55X900E was what I wanted to to get but due to the lack of stock I bought 65X850E. I like the screen size but not sure if there is that much of the difference in terms of video quality/hardware spec to go for 900E instead.

Others are better suited to give you a recommendation then I. I bought a P55-E1 that has issues. I bought a P65-E1 a few days ago that went from a $1200 savings to $200 savings in 2 days. Costco charged me taxes on $3000 price tag. If this 55" Sony was available 2 days ago I would have bought it.

I need some recommendation, 55X900E was what I wanted to to get but due to the lack of stock I bought 65X850E. I like the screen size but not sure if there is that much of the difference in terms of video quality/hardware spec to go for 900E instead.

i believed 900E has full array local dimming so better black levels? i have an older sony with FALD and everyone who sees it complements how good it looks.

I need some recommendation, 55X900E was what I wanted to to get but due to the lack of stock I bought 65X850E. I like the screen size but not sure if there is that much of the difference in terms of video quality/hardware spec to go for 900E instead.

There are two major differences. The 900 has full array backlight, the 850 is bottom edge light with no local dimming. The 900 is also about twice as bright for HDR.